At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy for plants, trees, and landscaping materials across multiple sites.
- Company: Join a market-leading PLC in the Agricultural & Horticultural sectors.
- Benefits: Highly competitive salary, hybrid work, 33 days holiday, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Positive culture with ongoing investment in employee development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on supply chain efficiency and sustainability in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing, strong negotiation skills, and a driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
Excellent Purchasing Lead Opportunity! Hybrid!
Harrogate office location.
This is a first-class Purchasing Lead position; The Purchasing Manager is responsible for executing the procurement strategy across one of my clientsdivisions, ensuring cost-effective, reliable and high-quality supply of all products including plants, trees, landscaping materials and associated goods.
This role plays a critical part in delivering margin improvement, supplier performance, and stock availability across a multi-site operation.
Working closely with Supply Chain, Planning and Category Management teams, the Purchasing Manager ensures that procurement activity is aligned to demand, seasonality and divisional growth objectives.
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?
- Annual base Salary – Highly competitive – Depending on experience
- Hybrid – 3 days office, 2 days from home
- Office Location – Harrogate area
- 1 direct report
- Monday to Friday working hours
33 days holiday leave, inclusive of bank holidays.
Upwardly mobile business encountering consistent growth, a market leader within their niche.
Permanent position from day one
A clear voice within the business.
Extremely positive culture
Ongoing continuous investment within the business!
Business is a hugely recognised and respected PLC.
THE BUSINESS
Our client specialises within the Agricultural & Horticultural sectors, they are a true market leader within their niche.
THE ROLE
- Source and procure products across key categories (e. g. plants, trees, aggregates, landscaping materials)
- Place and manage purchase orders in line with demand plans and stock policies
- Ensure continuity of supply across all sites, particularly during peak seasonal periods
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers including growers, nurseries and manufacturers
- Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, service and reliability
- Support contract negotiations and pricing reviews
- Proactively identify and mitigate supply risks (weather, seasonality, availability, pricing volatility)
- Deliver cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives
- Track and manage purchase price variance (PPV)
- Support margin improvement through effective sourcing and range optimisation
- Challenge pricing, minimum order quantities and commercial terms
- Work closely with the Planning function to align purchasing with forecasts
- Ensure stock is ordered in line with agreed stock policies and working capital targets
- Support reduction of excess, obsolete and slow-moving stock
- Manage lead times and order cycles to optimise stock availability
- Partner with Site Managers and Warehouse teams to ensure smooth inbound flow of goods
- Work closely with Sales and Customer Service teams to support availability and customer commitments
- Collaborate with Logistics on inbound freight planning and efficiency
- Support new product introductions and range changes
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of purchase orders within ERP systems
- Maintain data integrity (pricing, supplier records, lead times, MOQ, etc.)
- Follow and enforce procurement processes and governance standards
- Support continuous improvement of purchasing processes and systems
- Support sustainable sourcing initiatives aligned to divisional and group ESG goals
- Promote responsible supplier practices and traceability where applicable
- Contribute to reduction of waste and environmental impact in the supply chain
- THE PERSON
- Proven experience in a purchasing or procurement role within a multi-site or distribution environment
- Strong supplier management and negotiation skills
- Driving licence is essential
- Experience working with seasonal, perishable or demand-variable products (highly desirable)
- Commercially astute with a strong focus on cost and margin
- Experience using ERP systems for purchasing and inventory management
- Strong analytical capability and attention to detail
- Ability to operate at pace and manage competing priorities
- Exposure to demand planning or S&OP processes
- Understanding of logistics and inbound freight considerations
DESIRABLE
- Experience in landscaping, horticulture, agriculture, materials or Merchant Sectors.
- Experience working with growers, nurseries or import supply chains
- TO APPLY
- Please apply for this position and your CV will go direct to Westray Recruitment Group
Purchasing Lead in York employer: Westray Recruitment Group
Westray Recruitment Group offers a dynamic work environment in Northallerton, where innovation meets collaboration. As an Electronics Engineer, you'll benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises employee growth and development, alongside competitive remuneration and comprehensive benefits. Join a well-established manufacturer committed to enhancing product reliability, and be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing Lead in York
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Westray Recruitment Group.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing Lead in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Westray Recruitment Group:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Westray Recruitment Group. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Westray Recruitment Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Westray Recruitment Group
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Westray Recruitment Group!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Westray Recruitment Group. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Westray Recruitment Group's culture.
